Uniting NetworkUniting Network
At its meeting in May 1998, the National Social Responsibility and Justice Committee reflected on where the Uniting Church finds itself at this point in time in relation to the on going discussion concerning sexuality. We decided to share with the church our perceptions of the opportunities and challenges we believe the Uniting Church faces.
We believe that, because the Uniting Church has been willing to tackle the difficult issue of sexuality, it has greater credibility in the community now than it has had for some time. We are perceived to be a church that is open, compassionate and just. We are being seen as a sign of hope in the community. In some places, these perceptions have led new members to join the church. Some are homosexual, but many are heterosexual people of goodwill who want to belong to a community of faith that is just and compassionate. Families are hoping that this church will be a safe place for them and their homosexual children to express their faith. We must be careful not to betray this trust in us, nor lose the reputation we have gained.
Many in our communities are looking for a church that is radical in its commitment to the gospel of God's undeserved grace and love for all people. The challenge is for us to be such a church.
We see great opportunities for evangelism opening up as a result of the sexuality debate. Because of this debate, people outside the church are eager to discuss questions of faith and the Bible in a way they have not been before. Many people are dissatisfied with narrow interpretations of Christianity and are looking for an understanding of the Christian faith that is loving and compassionate. Gay and lesbian Christians are constantly being asked to explain their faith. Let us all rejoice that such evangelistic opportunities have opened up, and pray for the evangelists in our midst. It is important that we do not waste these opportunities for evangelism.
We see gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people offering their gifts in ministry in many parts of the church. Where such gifts are received and affirmed we see our church being enriched. We look forward to the time when all parts of the church will celebrate the gifts being offered, for it is only then that we believe we will grow in faith and numerically.
We perceive that God is doing a new thing among us. Whilst we see signs of death within the church, we are excited by the many signs of the new life God is bringing to birth among us. We are concerned that many church members seem to be clinging to the old, fearful of the death which precedes the resurrection. We believe there are great possibilities for evangelism, enrichment and growth in the Uniting Church. We pray that the church will have the vision to recognise the new life God is giving, the courage to let go of that which is dying, and the faith to move forward with God's Spirit into the new life God gives.
At the Assembly we prayed that our church would Move Forward with God's Spirit. We see many signs that God's Spirit is indeed leading us forward and we are excited by this.
Rev Robert Stringer
National Director for Social Justice
On behalf of the Social Responsibility and Justice Committee
Social Responsibility & Justice,
Uniting Church in Australia
PO Box A2266, Sydney South NSW 1235,
ph. (02) 9287 0900
fax (02) 9287 0999
email stringer@nat.uca.org.au
web site http://assembly.uca.org.au/agencies/social_responsibility.htm